by Kristina Ashqar, AllHabs.net
MONTREAL, QC. — Gone are the days of mid-season blockbuster trades in this post-lock out NHL salary cap era but such does not preclude the hypothetical conversation of possible trades and acquisitions by the Montreal Canadiens.
With the arrival of Alex Kovalev back to the Bell Centre for a Tuesday night matchup against his former team why not kick around the idea of the Canadiens organization making a move to re-acquire the recently departed Artiste?
In 28 games played this season, the enigmatic right winger has amassed seven goals and seven assists for a total of 14 points. Those numbers are good enough for second in scoring behind Daniel Alfredsson on a team that is the third worst in the league in goals scored per game. In his first season as a Senator, Kovalev finished with 49 points and was the fourth leading scorer on the team.
Not too bad for a 37 year-old who has had two surgically repaired knees and has missed only nine regular season games in the last two seasons.
With the confirmation that Andrei Markov will be out for the remainder of the season, Kovalev and his $5 M yearly cap hit suddenly becomes a player with a contract that is in the realm of possibility for the Canadiens. Couple that with the fact that Kovalev is on the last year of his two-year contract, the Canadiens really have nothing to lose when considering the long-term if they were to make a move with GM Bryan Murray.
Over the last five seasons Kovalev has averaged 62 points in the regular season and collected 41 points in 51 playoff games, now doesn’t that sound like a winger the Canadiens can benefit from?
Through 27 games this season Scott Gomez has centered Travis Moen more often than any other winger on the team. Known for his grittiness and energy, it is clear that Moen does not fit the bill as a top two line winger. His career high point total of 21 points seems to say it all.
It would seem that Kovalev’s skill set, ability to score, and his undeniable talent of being a gamebreaker would be far more appropriate to help bolster the struggling Gomez as opposed to having him continue to play alongside a prototypical third line player hoping that he will find his game. Doesn’t a second line of Cammalleri – Gomez – Kovalev have a much better ring to it?
But in addition to his ability to create masterpieces as L’Artiste, Kovalev brings with him an uncanny ability to just disappear on the ice like a magicien on some nights. This perhaps has been the most perplexing and frustrating aspect of Kovalev’s game when considering his talent level.
If the price where right on a deal, is that part of his game something the Canadiens can live with, again?
There is one thing that is certain in this entire equation. Kovalev’s love for the city of Montreal and playing for the most storied franchise in the league is unequivocal. But is that love enough to motivate Kovalev to play inspired hockey if given the opportunity to pull a CH sweater over his head one more time?
Maybe AK27 would like to think so.